Hegelian Dialectic (The Book of Revelation)

2017 studio album by Prodigy

Hegelian Dialectic
(The Book of Revelation)

Studio album by

Prodigy

Released| January 20, 2017
Recorded| 2015–2016
Genre|

* Political hip hop
* conscious hip hop

Length| 35:13
Label|

* Infamous
* RED

Producer|

* Joe the Engine Ear (exec.)
* The Alchemist
* Beat Butcha
* El RTNC
* Budgie Beats
* Mimosa
* Jordan Reid
* Knxwledge
* Mo Betta
* Mark the Beast

Prodigy chronology
| Young Rollin Stonerz
(2014)  | Hegelian Dialectic
(The Book of Revelation)
(2017)  | The Hegelian Dialectic 2 (The Book of Heroine)
(2022)

|
|

Singles from  Hegelian Dialectic (The Book of Revelation)

1. "Tyranny"
Released: February 2, 2016
2. "Mafuckin U$A"
Released: January 22, 2017[1]

Hegelian Dialectic (The Book of Revelation)[2] is the fifth studio album by American rapper Prodigy. The album was released on January 20, 2017, exactly five months before his death, through his label Infamous Records, and features a sole guest appearance from Ca$h Bilz.[3]

## Life and career leading to Hegelian Dialectic

[edit]

Prodigy, born Albert Johnson, was a central figure in East Coast Hip Hop, known particularly for his work with the group Mobb Deep. Known for his clear, articulate delivery and lyrical realism, Prodigy's music often reflected the gritty realities of street life and societal issues. His work on Hegelian Dialectic continued this trend, focusing on philosophical themes inspired by the Hegelian dialectic concept and the state of society in America.

## Concept and themes

[edit]

The album is named after the philosophical concept Hegelian dialectic. It is an argument process explaining the progress of history as being the conflict of ideas, where the interactions between thesis and anti-thesis create synthesis.[4] This idea is the logical foundation stone for Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels' theory of history as the history of class struggle where the conditions of societal production develop until the oppressed classes necessarily overthrow the oppressor class. This philosophical concept was reflected throughout the album, with songs addressing societal struggles, economic disparities, and political upheaval.

## Background

[edit]

Production for the album came from Beat Butcha, Knxwledge, and The Alchemist among others. Hegelian Dialectic was recorded and mixed by Joe the Engine Ear. It was the last album to be released during his lifetime prior to his death in June 2017, which was caused by accidental asphyxiation.[5] The album was intended to be the first in a series of three albums he planned to release over the course of several months, with the two sequels entitled The Book of Heroine and The Book of the Dead.[6]

## Guest appearance

[edit]

The album features a single guest appearance from Ca$h Bilz, a rising artist in the hip hop scene. Prodigy's choice to include a relatively unknown artist was in line with his desire to push boundaries and challenge the status quo, reflected in the philosophical themes of the album.

## Critical reception

[edit]

Hegelian Dialectic received generally positive reviews, with critics praising the new politically driven and socially conscious tone, a notable change from Prodigy's previous work. Adam Seyum of Music Connection gave the album eight out of ten stars, saying "With songs like 'Mystic', 'Tyranny' and 'Spiritual War,' [Prodigy] encourages listeners to open up their third eye and observe 'the system' meticulously."[7]

## Track listing

[edit]

This section needs expansion with: songwriters. You can help by adding to it. (April 2018)

|

No.| Title| Producer(s)| Length

|
|
|

1.| "Intro"|  | 1:10
2.| "Mystic"| The Alchemist| 3:10
3.| "Broken Rappers"| Beat Butcha| 2:12
4.| "Tyranny"| El RTNC| 3:01
5.| "Mafuckin U$A"| Budgie Beats| 2:41
6.| "Mic-rocosm"| Mimosa| 2:33
7.| "As If"|

* Budgie Beats
* Jordan Reid

| 2:46
8.| "New Balance" (Interlude)|  | 0:20
9.| "Snakes"| Beat Butcha| 2:40
10.| "The Good Fight"| Knxwledge| 3:05
11.| "Mr. President" (Interlude)|  | 0:38
12.| "Spiritual War"| Beat Butcha| 3:21
13.| "No Religion"| Mo Betta| 3:29
14.| "Hunger Pangs" (featuring Ca$h Bilz)| Mark the Beast| 4:07
Total length:| 35:13

Deluxe EditionNo.| Title| Producer(s)| Length

|
|
|

15.| "PHD"|  | 3:32
16.| "Broken Apple"| Knxwledge| 2:05
17.| "No Contest"| The Alchemist| 2:51
18.| "Bless You"| Mo Betta| 3:30
Total length:| 47:22

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Prodigy Demands Change in America on 'Maf--kin' U.S.A.': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
2. ^ "Prodigy Gets Philosophic on '(Hegelian Dialectic (The Book of Revelation)' - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
3. ^ "Hegelian Dialectic (The Book of Revelation)". iTunes. January 20, 2017. Archived from the original on April 7, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
4. ^ "Prodigy Gets Philosophic on 'Hegelian Dialectic (The Book of Revelation)' - XXL".
5. ^ "Mobb Deep rapper Prodigy died of accidental choking". NY Daily News. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
6. ^ "Prodigy - Hegelian Dialectic: The Book Of Revelation [Album Stream]". Street Music Charts. May 2, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
7. ^ "Music Album Review: Prodigy of Mobb Deep - "Hegelian Dialectic (The Book of Revelation)"". Music Connection. March 14, 2017.

* v
* t
* e

Prodigy

Discography

Studio albums|

* H.N.I.C. (2000)
* H.N.I.C. Pt. 2 (2008)
* H.N.I.C. 3 (2012)
* The Bumpy Johnson Album (2012)
* Hegelian Dialectic (The Book of Revelation) (2017)

Collaborative albums|

* Return of the Mac (2007)
* Product of the 80's (2008)
* Albert Einstein (2013)
* Young Rollin Stonerz (2014)

EPs|

* The Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson EP (2011)
* Hell Still on Earth (2016)

Featured singles|

* "I Shot Ya" (Remix) (1995)
* "Hold You Down" (2004)

Related articles|

* Mobb Deep

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